The Solar Month in 1 En. 72:8–32
The Solar Month in 1 En. 72:8–32

Summary/Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the literary structure of 1 En. 72:8–32, particularly its formulaic clauses used to express the monthly movement of the sun in its gates. One can distinguish two types of such schematic clauses, each describing a different phenomenon related to the movement of the sun within a 364-day year. The first type relates to the rising and setting of the sun in its gates and its nightly return to the east. The other concerns the changing duration of day and night based on the early form of Babylonian schematic astronomy. The focus is on the first type of the schematic clauses. Additionally, an interpretation of 1 En. 72:33–34, in which the ancient redactor comments on the relationship between the motion of the sun and the duration of day and night as two topics with recourse to two sets of formulaic clauses (vv. 8–32), has been included. Finally, this paper reflects on how these two sets were combined into one unit.

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